Synopses & Reviews
Synopsis
This book's vision of social geographies is rooted in the commitments that have characterised the sub-discipline for at least half a decade (such as society-space relations, justice, equality), while incorporating new approaches, theories and concerns (such as emotions, performativity, non-representational perspectives). The book makes sense of the bewildering variety of contemporary social geographical interests, and embraces the increasing porosity of our work with neighbouring economic, cultural, political and environmental geographies while holding fast to certain key principles. It will provide a round-up of the state of the sub-discipline, capture recent themes and directions, and chart new questions and challenges for theory, politics and practice. Over a decade into the renaissance of social geographies, the book showcases the breadth of conceptual and empirical approaches that scholars are now seeking out to understand contemporary social issues through a spatial lens, as well as the contributions made to social change alongside communities, policy-makers and social movements. It emphasises the important connections between social geographies and a wide range of global and local issues, and the utility of issues of space, place and scale to the task of exploring and tackling them. Each chapter offers an introduction to current work in social geographies, seeking to provide an overview and giving a number of in-depth examples from diverse global settings. We also identify the fundamental relationship of theory and research process, both to social geographical theory and to the broad themes that run through the book, by using bespoke textboxes in each chapter. Each chapter will share the following key features: Writing in an accessible and engaging wayDefining of key terms, and carefully explaining concepts and ideasDrawing on a range of exciting contemporary examples from different geographical settings, including those drawn from each author's current researchCross-referencing to selected chapters elsewhere in the book Including an average of 2 photos, other tables/diagrams if appropriateIncluding a short summary and suggested further readingIncluding a "real world research" textbox, that considers methodological issues connected to the topic (for example, the ethics of researching sexuality; the limits of official data on violent crime; interviewing people in housing crisis; positionality in researching encounter)Including a "real world theory" textbox, that identifies how a key theoretical perspective is helpful in explaining observed phenomena.
Synopsis
Marking the renaissance of social geographies in recent years, this major textbook showcases the breadth of conceptual and empirical approaches that scholars now utilize to understand contemporary social issues through a spatial lens. The book is collectively authored by one of the largest groups of social geographers in the world. It develops a vision of social geographies that is rooted in the commitments that have characterised the sub-discipline for at least half a decade (e.g. society-space relations, justice, equality), while incorporating new approaches, theories and concerns (e.g. emotions, performance, and the more-than-human). Embracing the increasing porosity of our work with neighbouring economic, cultural, political and environmental geographies, the book provides a round-up of the state of the sub-discipline, capturing recent directions and charting new questions and challenges for theory, research and practice. It makes sense of the bewildering variety of contemporary social geographical interests, from longstanding topics (e.g. race, class and gender) to more recent interests (e.g. sustainability, digital worlds and social change). Above all, it makes clear the relevance and contributions of social geographies not only to understanding a wide range of global and local issues, but to social change alongside communities, policy-makers and social movements. Each chapter offers an introduction to current work in social geographies, providing an overview and in-depth examples. The book has these key features that make it an essential resource for any social geography course: An accessible and engaging style that is ideal for entry level students Definitions of key terms and carefully explained concepts and ideas A range of exciting contemporary examples from a wide variety of geographical settings, including those drawn from the authors' recent research Cross-referencing between chapters to help students expand learning Illustration with photos, tables, diagrams and other material Suggestions for further reading in each chapter "Real world research" and "real world theory" textboxes providing examples of research projects and theoretical perspectives, bringing topics alive and exploring challenges on the ground
Synopsis
Social geographies is a flourishing field that studies a diverse range of current social issues through a spatial lens. Capturing a lively and dynamic area of scholarship, this major textbook showcases the breadth of conceptual and empirical approaches that social geographers use to understand the world we live in. It is collectively authored by one of the largest groups of social geographers in the world. The book develops a vision of social geographies that is rooted in longstanding commitments to justice, equality and social change, while incorporating new approaches, topics and concerns. It offers the most contemporary and comprehensive round-up of social geographies to date, making sense of its rich and diverse interests. Its 34 chapters contain lively and accessible summaries of current research on familiar topics such as space and time, race, class, housing and health; and recent developments including digital worlds, performance, sustainability and food. Above all, this collection makes clear the enormous relevance and contributions of social geographies, not only to our understanding of a wide range of global and local issues, but also to working for change for a better world alongside communities, policy makers and social movements.
Synopsis
Provides an introduction to the state of the sub-discipline of social geography, capture recent themes and directions, and chart new questions and challenges for theory, politics and practice.